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TUCSON - Some city leaders want to make Tucson's transit system regional, similar to bigger cities across the country.

The goal would be to allow the Regional Transportation Authority to take over and consolidate the three different public transportation systems in the county, into one. It would eventually save the city of Tucson and towns like Oro Valley a lot of money.

However, the tab could be passed on to individual taxpayers.

Paul Loomis, Oro Valley Mayor, says they use $300,000 a year out of their general fund budget to pay for their bus system called Coyote Run. He says they use it for the handicap and senior citizens in town.

Jim DeGrood, director of transportation services for Pima Associations of Government, says these types of buses for the handicap are found across the county. He says besides Oro Valley, the city of Tucson and Pima County also run a service. He says in some cases they're working the same territories.

Gary Hayes, executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority, says that's one problem with having separate cities or towns running their own operations.

"I think the main motivation we see is to create a truly regional, seamless, connected system," Hayes said.

Hayes says the goal is for RTA to take over for a trial period, while each jurisdiction continues to pay. Then, RTA would pick up the tab after five years. That move would save Oro Valley that $300,000 and the city of Tucson about $32M a year for Suntran and Sunvan.

"That enables the city, the county, and the smaller jurisdictions to devote general fund monies to police and fire and other public functions," Hayes said.

Loomis says it sounds like a good idea but he still has concerns. He wants to know if the level of service will remain the same in Oro Valley. He's also concerned about where RTA would find the long term funding.

Hayes says it could be an increase in sales tax, property tax or other means.

"It's a change and change does not come easily, particularly to the Tucson area...we're running that up the flagpole to see if it has any traction," Hayes said.

Tucson's city council will discuss the proposal in three weeks.